Ink Spots Soared In '39

MARVIN RANDOLPH MUSICAL MEMORIES

August 24, 1997|MARVIN RANDOLPH MUSICAL MEMORIES

Q. I wonder if you can tell me the names of the original group of the Ink Spots. I think they started in the '30s. Also, can you tell me the whereabouts of clarinet player Sol Yaged; is he still alive? _ Irving Feldman, Tamarac

A. The Ink Spots started in the mid '30s in England with the Jack Hylton Band, without much success. In the United States, however, starting in 1939 they switched to slow tempos and became the most successful vocal quartet well into the '40s. They featured the high tenor lead of Bill Kenny along with the talking choruses by deep-voiced Orville ``Hoppy'' Jones. Other singers were Charlie Fuqua (also guitarist) and Ivory ``Deek'' Watson. Jones died in November 1944 and was replaced by Herb Kenny, Bill's brother.

The last I heard about clarinetist Yaged was about two years ago when he was performing at the Red Blazer on West 46th Street in New York.

Q. My wife and I have been searching for the words from To Each His Own. Also, who was the artist who sang the song? _ John G. Murphy, Deerfield Beach

A. To Each His Own, written in 1946 by Ray Evans (words) and Jay Livingston (music), became one of the biggest hits of the year. Recordings selling over a million copies were by Eddy Howard and the Ink Spots. You can get the sheet music at Lenny's Music Mania, 4628 N. Federal Highway, Lighthouse Point; 954-784-8089.

Notes to Readers: For Stuart Addison, Coconut Creek: You can get the sheet music for Where Did the Magic Go?, written in 1964 by Charles Newman and Chester Conn, at Lenny's Music Mania, mentioned previously.

For Mel Hurwitz, Boca Raton: You can have your 16-inch Armed Forces Radio Service records put on cassette at Lanny Grey Recording Studio, 7540 U.S. 1, Hypoluxo, FL 33462; 561-588-3867.